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About

The Teacher Education Department of ÏãåúÖ±²¥, recognized asÌýaccredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (NCATE has becomeÌýtheÌýaccreditation agencyÌýCouncil for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)), houses initial education programs. The Teacher Education Department, comprised of both teacher education faculty and content specialists, isÌýcommitted to its mission of preparing exceptional teachers for the future. In keeping with its mission, ÏãåúÖ±²¥ continues to maintain high quality programs in:

• Biological Science 9 - Adult
• Chemistry 9 - Adult
• Early Education Pre K - K
• Elementary Education K - 6
• English Education 5 - 9 and 5 - Adult
• General Math 5 - 9 and 5 - Adult
• General Science 5 - 9 and 5 - Adult
• Health & Physical Education Pre K - Adult
• Music Education Pre K - Adult
• Social Studies Education 5 - 9 and 5 - Adult
• Special Education Multi Categorical K - 6

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The Department of Education has developed a mission statement which correlates with the mission of the University but epitomizes the uniqueness of the teacher preparation program by embracing the Skilled, Reflective, and Responsive Teacher model.

The faculty are committed to educating students to be thoughtful, productive, engaged, and responsible citizens. The mission of Teacher Education at ÏãåúÖ±²¥ is to deliver quality undergraduate teacher preparation programs which meet the increasing need for exceptional teachers in West Virginia and beyond.

This mission is accomplished through four major aims:

* to deliver quality programs to prepare educators to meet the challenges of educating children, youth, adolescents, and adults to be functional members of society

*ensureÌýthat teacher educators are employable in local, regional and national marketplaces. This is accomplished through state, regional, and national accreditation of educational programs

*ensureÌýopportunities to seek graduate education

*toÌýprovideÌýrigorous programs that prepare teacher candidates for their chosen careers in West Virginia and beyond.

Graduates of the GSU teacher preparation program are involved in educational endeavors which have included service in the following capacities:

• Assistant State Superintendent of Schools
• Chancellor for the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia
• Superintendents
• Principals
• State Coordinator for Secondary Reading
• Teachers achieving National Board Certification
• Teachers of the Year

In addition to rigorous curricular preparation, there are a variety of opportunities throughout the teacher education program for education majors to work with students in educational settings and become a part of the local schools and the community. Through the Professional Development Schools (PDS) model, teacher candidates become active members in designated PDS schools. They observe, tutor, participate in individual, small group, and full-class instructional activities that relate to their areas of expertise. Currently GSU partners with many high schools, middle schools, andÌýelementary schools to more effectively prepare our teacher candidates for the "real" world of teaching. The PDS partnership model prepares teachers with a better understanding of teaching and learning, creates more efficient learning activities for the public school student, and increases the likelihood that teachers will remain in the educational system for a much longer period of time.

Within the department, candidates areÌýoffered the opportunity to become members of severalÌýeducational organizations: the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education;Ìýthe ÏãåúÖ±²¥ Reading Group, which is affiliated with the West Virginia Reading Association; the Early Education Student Group, affiliated with the West Virginia Association For Young Children and the Southern Early Childhood Association.

The Department of Education has a dedicated and caring faculty. TheirÌýpublic school experience andÌýinteractions with the candidates areÌýprincipal assurances of a quality educationÌýat ÏãåúÖ±²¥.

Contact

For additional information about the Department of Education, its programs, faculty, and organizations contact:

Mrs. Connie Stout O'Dell
Dean of Teacher Education
Academic AffairsÌý
Send email
304-462-6209

Links

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